Woody Allen said, "Half of success is showing up."
I've thought about that quote many times over the years. There was something about its logic that didn't match up with my day-to-day experience.
Don't get me wrong, no matter what you want to do in your life, showing up is the first step in getting it. But I've shown up many times and ended up going home with the prize that I so much wanted.
I've also seen others convinced that they'll advance toward their goals if they show up. Instead, they end up disappointed with their results.
So, if showing up is getting you halfway, what's the other half?
It's knowledge, work ethic, and communication, and people skills. And let's not forget your ability to commit to doing whatever it takes to get what you want.
Some people don't show up, and some don't commit. Many do. Why don't they succeed?
I remember the words spoken by my Paster moments before my wedding to my first wife, Sheryl. I was a 20-year-old kid, and he asked,
"Do you know what makes a marriage work?"
Without much thought, I said, "It's a 50/50 thing. As long as we show up for each other, it'll work."
His response resonates with me to this day,
"Success in anything is 100/100 thing. You show up and commit to giving it 100% of your effort all the time - and so does everybody else."
So, yes. Showing up will get you halfway to your goal. But if you want to go all the way, you must commit to 100% and doing whatever it takes to get what you want.
